How to Help Your Dog Overcome Separation Anxiety - By: Allan Michael Taylor

Dog separation anxiety occurs when dogs get separated from their owners. Pet dogs suffering from separation anxiety may howl, bark, whimper, claw and bite at house furniture, and even hurt themselves in an attempt to go after their masters. In extreme cases, your dog may even suffer stress, anxiety, and even trauma as a result of separation anxiety.

Fortunately, the condition can be overcome if pet owners give proper attention and sufficient training to their dogs. There is not one specific cause of dog separation anxiety. Dog behavior experts pinpointed several reasons, which are well worth remembering if you wish to raise a well-rounded, confident, and sociable dog.

Dogs may suffer from separation anxiety because they lack confidence brought about by a traumatic past. If you adopted a dog from the shelter and it has been showing signs of separation anxiety, it could be because the animal was abused or abandoned by its previous owner. A drastic change in the dog's environment may also be the cause of dog separation anxiety. Changes such as moving to another home or having the dog's house transferred from outdoor to indoor or vice-versa may trigger panic in your pet each time you had to leave the house.

If your pet has been showing signs of dog separation anxiety, apply the following techniques and see which ones work for your dog:

Be calm upon leaving/arriving home. Instill in your dog's mind that there is no big deal with you leaving or arriving at home. Ignore it when he jumps, paws, or barks at you when you get home, at least for the first few minutes. When your dog becomes quiet, call it to show that you are rewarding it for good behavior.

Exercise your dog. Exercise is good for your pet's body and entire well-being. Giving it a workout through playing games or walking it around the neighborhood can do wonders for relieving stress and overcoming dog separation anxiety. Socially, exercise gives your dog more confidence as well.

Leave dog treats or toys. It would help to leave a boxful of dog treats and toys to draw your dog's attention while you are away. Hide the treats when you are home and only take them out each time you have to leave so that it stays distracted.

Exercise gradual departures. Try desensitizing your pet from the feeling of panic each time you leave by exercising gradual departures. For instance, you can first grab your purse and car keys then touch the doorknob but not go anywhere after that. Do this a few times a day to reduce the feeling of stress and anxiety in your pet. Eventually, start going outside and stay there for a few seconds.

Repeat this while prolonging your absence five minutes at a time until your dogs gets used to your being absent. The number of repetitions depends on how severe the dog separation anxiety is. Praise your dog when it is calm but do not offer comfort each time it gets upset during the process. You can always slow down if your dogs suddenly shows anxiety again.

About the Author

Gerald has been involved in all aspects of the dog business for a good number of years now. If you need some advice with fixing dog behavior problems or just want to know more about dog separation anxiety he can point you in the right direction. Just visit My Dog Training Advice

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Allan-Michael-Taylor/45501

Additional Articles From - Home | Home & family | Pets